The University of South Africa (Unisa), founded in 1873, is a public open distance e-learning university. It offers qualifications across several fields. Use the official qualification catalogue to check the current title, code, admission requirements and availability for your intended intake; a qualification listed for existing students is not necessarily open to new applicants.
UNISA Courses Offered
Unisa offers formal certificates, diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications, as well as separate Short Learning Programmes (SLPs). Visit www.unisa.ac.za for current information. The address ucl@unisa.ac.za is for SLP enquiries; formal-qualification enquiries should go to the relevant college or the contact listed on the official qualification page.
Unisa has a long history of distance education. Before choosing a qualification, check its current curriculum, admission requirements and delivery arrangements on the university’s website.
UNISA Courses
With eight colleges to choose from, Unisa has much to offer. The eight colleges are as follows:
- College of Accounting Sciences (CAS) – approved by South African and international professional financial institutions, this college offers several qualifications, all of which will be more than useful
- College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) – with an emphasis on learning as well as training in food production, this college will also teach you about the ongoing usage and management of Africa’s natural resources
- College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS) – offers qualifications in business, economics and management.
- College of Education (CEDU) – offers teacher education and other education qualifications; check each programme’s current admission and teaching-practice requirements.
- College of Graduate Studies – increasing the number of postgraduate students within the country, this college also equips these students with the skills to improve their academic performance
- College of Human Sciences (CHS) – with a focus on religion, theology, humanities, social sciences, and the arts, this college offers qualifications of top quality
- College of Law (CLAW) – preparing students for a career in legal professions, this college delivers professional qualifications which are career-oriented
- College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET) – offering Unisa IT courses alongside other qualifications within the fields of science, engineering, and technology, this college will prepare students for whichever one they choose
If you are considering enrolling at Unisa, know that this is an institution that is more than qualified to help you in achieving your career goals. To learn of the course offerings at Unisa, with information regarding Unisa certificate courses, Unisa diplomas, undergraduate degrees, and postgraduate programmes, continue reading ahead.
Unisa certificate courses:
The following is a selection of certificate titles, including two historical entries identified below. It is not a complete catalogue. Check the current admission catalogue for the qualification and stream you intend to study:
- Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences
- Higher Certificate in Adult Basic Education and Training – historical qualification; not listed in the current new-admissions catalogue
- Higher Certificate in Animal Welfare
- Higher Certificate in Archives & Records Management
- Higher Certificate in Banking
- Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice
- Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences
- Higher Certificate in Education – choose the current Foundation/Intermediate, Senior Maths and Science, or Senior/FET stream in the official catalogue
- Higher Certificate in Insurance – historical qualification; Unisa’s archived rules limit its offering to previously registered students through 2023
- Higher Certificate in Law
- Higher Certificate in Life & Environmental Sciences
- Higher Certificate in Marketing
- Higher Certificate in Retailing
- Higher Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work
- Higher Certificate in Supervisory Management
- Higher Certificate in Tourism Management
One of the advanced certificates in the current catalogue is:
- Advanced Certificate in Accounting Sciences
Next, let’s go over the diplomas offered by Unisa.
Unisa diplomas:
The following diploma titles appear in Unisa’s current admission catalogue. This is a selection rather than a comprehensive list; check the qualification code, requirements and intake availability before applying:
- Diploma in Accounting Sciences
- Diploma in Administrative Management
- Diploma in Agricultural Management
- Diploma in Animal Health
- Diploma in Corrections Management
- Diploma in Explosives Management
- Diploma in Human Resource Management
- Diploma in Information Technology
- Diploma in Law
- Diploma in Local Government Finance
- Diploma in Marketing Management
- Diploma in Nature Conservation
- Diploma in Ornamental Horticulture
- Diploma in Policing
- Diploma in Public Administration & Management
- Diploma in Public Relations
- Diploma in Security Management
- Diploma in Small Business Management
- Diploma in Tourism Management
The following National Diploma names and codes are historical entries, not current new-admission options in the catalogue. Current engineering offerings use titles such as Diploma in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering and Pulp and Paper Technology; Safety Management is also offered as a Diploma. Use the current title and qualification code when applying:
- National Diploma: Engineering: Chemical (NDENG)
- National Diploma: Engineering: Civil (NDECI)
- National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical Clinical Engineering (NDEEN – CEN)
- National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical Computer Systems (NDEEN – COS)
- National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical Electronics and Electronic Communication (NDEEN – EEC)
- National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical Mechatronics (NDEEN – MEC)
- National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical Power Engineering (NDEEN – PEN)
- National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical Process Instrumentation (NDEEN – PIN)
- National Diploma: Engineering: Industrial (NDEID)
- National Diploma: Engineering: Mechanical (NDEMC)
- National Diploma: Mine Surveying (NDMSR)
- National Diploma: Mining Engineering (NDMIN)
- National Diploma: Pulp and Paper Technology (NDPPT)
- National Diploma: Safety Management (NDSMN)
Unisa undergraduate degrees:
The list of undergraduate degrees offered by Unisa is a large one. Here are some of the options to consider:
- Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Internal Auditing
- Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Management Accounting
- Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Taxation
- Bachelor of Administration
- Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Financial Accounting
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Community Development
- Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminology
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management
- Bachelor of Commerce in Economics
- Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management
- Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management
- Bachelor of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology
Again, these are only some of the undergraduate offerings. To see a comprehensive list, visit their website at www.Unisa.ac.za.
Unisa postgraduate programmes:
For teacher education, Unisa currently offers the PGCE in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (90148), with subject-specific streams. The older Foundation/Intermediate PGCE titles below must not be treated as current new-admission options:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Foundation Phase and Early Childhood Development) – historical title, not listed in the current new-admissions catalogue
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Intermediate and Senior) – historical title, not listed in the current new-admissions catalogue
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (90148) – choose the subject stream for which your degree meets the admission requirements
Requirements:
If you are wondering about the requirements for all these valuable certificates, diplomas, programs, and undergraduate degrees, you aren’t alone. While individual circumstances may vary, keep these general outlines in mind in regards to requirements for Unisa:
- You will need to calculate your APS (Admissions Point Score) and ensure you are eligible for the course you are applying to
- You will need a valid email and phone number which you will have access to
- Upload the supporting documents specified by Unisa during the online application process, including identity and academic documents where required. Follow the current instructions on file format and certification; do not assume every application accepts the same documents.
Also Read: How to Apply to (UNISA) University of South Africa
Unisa is a leading institution in the world of higher education. To enrol in one of their many programs will mean you are arming yourself with the skills needed as determined by yourself, your institution or workplace, and even all of society. As they say themselves, Unisa is defining tomorrow – the tomorrow we need, and the tomorrow that needs what you will be able to bring to the table.
Good luck with your studies!
